Join us this year 2025, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of AYINET
Today, we look back and reflect upon the tough choices we made on the peak of 20 years of devastating, violent conflicts in northern Uganda. As bad as things were; we chose to work for peace and justice for victims.
Pain activated our passion, and we started AYINET during active conflicts. We stood against the desire to pick up guns to avenge our losses, simply because we refused to consider anyone as our enemy.
AYINET’s baby steps helped us grow into grassroots defenders and promoters of peace. We dedicated ourselves to transform lives impacted by war, the promotion of social cohesion and community development. We put ourselves at grave risk and we managed to save lives. Our biggest tools were courage, convictions, truth, and hope. We believe in humanity’s collective potential, the invincible resolve which compelled us to step forward for peace; we are proud of our achievements and contributions to the service of humanity.
Even though
- We were not doctors (medics), we mobilised and provided reconstructive medical rehabilitation to at least 25,000 direct victims of rape, mutilation, gun shots, severe torture; while tens of thousands of survivors received much needed non-surgical medical treatments; and hundreds of thousands received intensive mental health care.
- We were not lawyers, but we took it upon ourselves to openly promote the International Criminal Court (ICC). As unpopular as ICC was, AYINET risked it all and actively sensitised the population, mobilised survivors to participate as victims and witnesses in the LRA cases before ICC. AYINET implemented the inaugural Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) projects, the model projects, which to date is being replicated around the world.
- We didn’t have even just a motor-cycle, but our dedicated team of youth at AYINET were peddling bicycles covering long distances in the midst of dust, rain and rebel ambushes to ensure the war wounded, sick and vulnerable received life-saving medical care.
- We were war survivors ourselves, we mobilised and empowered thousands of young people to become grassroots actors for peace and human rights defenders. On one end, AYINET played significant roles in the resettlement of former child soldiers and ex-combatants who are promoters of social justice.
- We were not experts, but we transformed our decades of suffering, trauma and pain into opportunity to lead our people to peace. It’s been our wish to re-build our community and our country together with those who caused enormous suffering. All in hope that we will heal as a nation.
Over the years, we saw war in northern Uganda shift from battlefield confrontations to individual survivors, families and communities who are left on their own to grapple with the devastating effects of war and loss. On behalf of victims, let me:
- Thank the entire AYINET team, both previous and current staffs and volunteers. Unlike other NGOs, AYINET didn’t have much resources but you all worked without meaningful pay, sacrificed your time, contributed your knowledge and some of you put your career on hold in order to do the work.
- Thank donors who supported our struggles. Because you believed in our vision, you understood the pain of our society and gave us a helping hand; lives were saved. We are grateful for your unwavering generosity which propelled many possibilities
- Remind the government of Uganda about the missing persons. There are still Tens of thousands of young people who were abducted during the LRA war. But, to date, they have not been accounted for, and their fate is unknown and they are lesser heard voices. AYINET has been trying to provide emotional and, where possible, material support to the families with missing persons. They remain overcome with grief, feel abandoned, yet endlessly waiting for their abducted loved ones to come back home. Majority of these families are in their critical and neediest moment; especially as they are exposed to news about hostage releases in Israeli – Hamas conflicts.
- We call upon the Government of Uganda to accelerate and genuinely implement the Transitional Justice process, because people are living with enduring injustices. Our nation is in urgent need for national healing and reconciliation.
The political volatilities in Africa today are a reminder that Africa needs leadership that inspires peace not war. We must avoid the feeling and language of violent confrontation. All too often, people fight and innocent people are killed. In the end, fighters negotiate and attain ranks, become powerful figures in government, and live privileged lives with their families; while they turn their backs on the victims.
To commemorate AYINET’s anniversary, we have a year-long plan to honour our 20 years of peace building, human rights promotion, pursuit of justice and dignity for all. We will share with you in the next post, our planned actions across the African Continent.
We remain open to new ideas and perspectives of what we can do together, please reach out. You can donate to support our work.
May the light of peace shine with strength into your hearts and minds as we care for one another.
Victor OCHEN
Founder and Executive Director for African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET)